Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has again held true to his word to veto any gay-marriage bills that come across his desk. On Friday, he turned down AB 43, which would have lifted the state’s ban on same-sex "marriage."
While this is a victory for traditional marriage, the governor also passed several bills detrimental to California families.
Schwarzenegger signed a bill requiring all public school instruction and activities to promote and protect transsexuality, bisexuality and homosexuality to children as young as 5 years old.
The bill, which goes into effect Jan. 1, will force teachers to present a one-sided message about homosexuality, bisexuality and transgender issues. Further, it will ban lessons that present marriage solely between one man and one woman.
The governor also approved bills to end local oversight of school discrimination policies; change rights for domestic partners; and add even more special protection for homosexuals to state laws.
Though Schwarzenegger is opposed to same-sex "marriage," he stated in his veto letter that he still supports domestic-partnership rights and will continue to defend and enforce those rights.
Ron Prentice, director of the California Family Council, told Family News in Focus that the governor is ignoring the people of California.
“It seems as if the governor has chosen to disregard traditional families and everything that they represent in our society and has gone with his own personal viewpoints,” he said. “It appears as though Governor Schwarzenegger no longer needs the vote of traditional people in the state.”
The California Supreme Court likely will decide next year whether the state’s current definition of marriage as being between a man and a woman is constitutional.
Mona Passignano, state issues analyst for Focus on the Family Action, said that while the state of pro-family legislation in California is grim, there is still a ray of hope.
“While we are very happy that Gov. Schwarzenegger kept his promise to veto gay marriage, the other four bills that he signed into law will likely have a devastating impact on churches and Christian families in the state for years to come,” she said. “The one good decision certainly doesn't cancel out the bad. But it is important to remember that the only thing standing between California and gay marriage is Gov. Schwarzenegger, so we can be thankful for that.”
